Thumb mounted pencil holder



Oct. 24, 1961 H. E. GLASSCOCK 3,005,441

THUMB MOUNTED PENCIL HOLDER Filed Aug. 17, 1959 INVENTOR. GLASSCOCK ATTORNEYS HUGH E.

' 3,005,441 THUMB MOUNTED PENCIL HOLDER Hugh E. Glasscock, 3170 Greentree Way, San Jose, Calif. Filed Aug. 17, 1959, Ser. No. 834,237

Claims. (Cl. 120102) The present invention relates .to a pencil holder, and

pertains more particularly to a pencil holder wherein a pencil is retractably mounted on a ring adapted to be mounted on a thumb of a wearer for easy manipulation of the pencil into and out of writing position.

In the past, various ring mounted pencils have been developed, but most of these have been for use on the index finger of a wearers hand, and in such position even though swung or moved out of writing position have tended to hamper the free use of the users index finger.

The present invention contemplates the provision of an improved thumb-mounted pencil holder, wherein the pencil is automatically retracted when released from a writing position, but which may be readily reached by the index, or index and second fingers, of the same hand and drawn axially downward into writing position.

The invention also provides an improved, automatically retractable, thumb-mounted pencil holder.

These, and other objects and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view showing the pencil holder of the present invention as it appears when mounted on the thumb of a user, and with the pencil in retracted condition.

FIG. 2 is a similar view, the solid lines showing the pencil being extended into writing position, and the broken lines showing the pencil in writing condition.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the pencil holder shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pencil housing tube being shown in diametrical section.

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the pencil holder shown in FIGS. 1-3.

Briefly, the illustrated form of the invention comprises a pencil holder A having a ring portion adapted to be mounted on the thumb 11 of a wearer as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A pencil holding tube 12 is mounted on the ring 10, and is aimed so that when a pencil 13, mounted in the tube 12, is extended into the broken line position thereof shown in FIG. 2, the pencil will be in proper position for writing.

A coil spring 14 is mounted co-axially within the tube 12, and is of a size to receive a pencil 13 for free, slidable, axial movement therein. However, the outermost end portion of the spring is attached firmly to the pencil. A flange 17 is provided on the inner end portion of the pencil 13 to limit the retraction of the latter into the tube 12, and to provide a projection which will permit the fingers 18 and 19 of a user to extend the pencil into operative position as shown in broken lines in FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the ring portion 10 of the illustrated embodiment A of the invention preferably is of a slightly springy material such as spring brass, aluminum alloy, or suitable springy plastic material. The end portions 20 and 21 of the ring overlap slightly, and this construction permits the ring portion 10 to expand for slipping onto the thumb 11 of a wearer as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and in such position to grip the thumb 11 sufficiently to prevent the ring from turning freely thereon.

The tube 12 is of suitable rigid material, such as, for example, brass, steel or plastic tubing. The tube 12 is fixedly secured to the ring 10, and is so positioned thereon that when the ring is on a wearers thumb 11 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the axis of the tube 12 will be directed tees firs .P e ct- 2.4,. .1a r,

along a line extending between the thumb 11 and index. and second fingers 18 and 19 of a wearer of the pencili holder when saidthumb and finger are in proper writing position.

An inwardly extending spring retaining flange 22 is provided within the inner end of the pencil holding tube 12 nearest the tip of awearers thumb 11 when the device is worn as shown in FIG. 2. The coil spring 14 is of a diameter to fit freely within the tube 12, and also to receive:v the pencil13 for freeaxial movement therein, andis mounted within the tube and bears against the inward end flange 22 thereof. The pencil 13 is inserted co-axially within the coil spring 14, and the outer end of the spring is attached tothe pencil. Any suitable means may be employed for securing the outer endof the spring 1410 the pencil 13, but in the illustrated form of the invention" the outermost coil 14a is simply made slightly smaller than the remaining coils of the spring so as to have a tight, resilient grip on the pencil when the latter is inserted into the spring.

The flange 17 on the pencil 13 is fixedly attached thereto by any suitable means, for example by being made integral with the body portion 13a of the illustrated mechanical pencil. Since many such pencils are well known, it will e unnecessary to illustrate or describe the details thereof herein. The flange 17 and spring 14 are so constructed and arranged that when the pencil 13 is released from its broken line position shown in FIG. 2 the spring 14 will retract the pencil to bring the flange 17 adjacent the end of the tubular housing 12.

In using the invention, the user slips the ring portion 10 onto his thumb 11 as shown in FIG. 2, with the pencil 13 directed with its pointed end 23 toward the tip of the wearers thumb 11. The ring should fit sufficiently closely on the thumb to frictionally prevent the device from gravitating out of this position.

The spring 14 normally holds the pencil 13 in its retracted position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. In this position the wearers index and other fingers are free for other uses, as is also the thumb 11, since the pencil 13 is in a retracted position which will not interfere with most uses of the wearers thumb, particularly for clerical and similar work.

When the wearer wishes to use the pencil, he bends his index or index and second finger, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 2, and engages the flange 17 with his finger nails as also shown in FIG. 2. By then extending his fingers to the broken line position of FIG. 2, the pencil 13 will be thereby extended ready to grasp between the thumb 11 and fingers 18 and 19 in writing position. Upon completion of a writing operation, the fingers 18 and 19 release the pencil 13, whereupon the spring 14 retracts the pencil to its inoperative, solid line position of FIGS. 1 and 3.

The invention provides a simple, inexpensive pencil mount which holds the pencil ready for instant use, but normally retracted so as to clear the wearers hand for other uses. The pencil can be drawn into writing position by a quick and easy movement of the fingers of the same hand that the device is mounted upon, and the pencil automatically retracts to clear the hand for other uses when released from writing position.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred em bodiment of the present invention, it will be understood, however, that various changes and modifications may be made in the details thereof without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A retractable pencil comprising a ring adapted to fit snugly onto the thumbof a wearer, a pencil holding tube fixedly mounted on a side of said ring with its axis directed at a slight acute angle to the axis of said ring, so that when said ring is worn on a wearers thumb, said pencil will be directed between the tip of the thumb and the index and second fingers of such wearers hand with the thumb and fingers of such hand in a normal writing position, a pencil mounted for axial slidable movement in the tube, resilient means normally retracting the pencil into the tube, and an element on a side of the pencil for engagement by the index finger of such' hand upon which said ring is mounted for axially extending the pencil into writing position.

. 2. A retractable, pencil comprising a ring adapted to fit snugly onto the thumb of a wearer, a pencil holding tube mounted on said ring with an extension of its axis directed at a slight acute angle to the axis of said ring, so that when said ring is worn on a wearers thumb, said pencil will be directed between the tip of the thumb and the index and second fingers of such wearers hand with the thumb and fingers of such hand in a normal writing position, a spring fitted into the tube and in endwise compressive engagement at its inner end with an element of said tube, a pencil mounted for axial slidable movement in the spring, the outer end of the spring being attached to the pencil, and a flange surrounding the pencil adjacent the pointed end thereof to limit retraction of the pencil into the tube under compressive action of said spring, and in position for engagement by the index finger of such hand upon which said ring ismounted for extending the References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,143,393 Higbee June 15, 1915 Enrle Apr. 28, 1914 

